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23 June 2021

Today, the 14th session of the Working Group on the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) of the World Intellectual Property Organization was closed in Geneva. The event was held from 14 to 17 June in a hybrid format.

The working group continued to discuss the amendments to the PCT Instruction related to the strengthening of emergency guarantees. The PCT system provides for the mechanism of guarantees for the protection of applicants’ rights, including the priority right, recognition of the causes of non-compliance with the deadlines and extension of the set deadlines for a number of circumstances. However, as the COVID-caused emergency has shown, this mechanism can be improved.

The Working Group approved the amendments to the 82quater rule of the PCT Instruction set out in the Appendix to document PCT/WG/14/11. The proposed amendments are to be considered by the PCT Union Assembly, the next session of which will be held on October 4-8, 2021.

As part of the meeting, the session participants also discussed the following questions:

integration of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) into the PCT system;
the ability to use certified copies of preceding international applications as a ground for priority claims;
online PCT services;
the pilot project for the provision of reviews on international search reports;
processing of international applications in full-text format;
introduction of the ST.26 WIPO standard into the PCT system;
minimum of PCT documentation;
coordination of activities in the field of patent experts training;
cooperation on technical assistance under PCT.

For reference:
The PCT system helps the applicants to patent their inventions in many countries, contributes to decision making process of patent agencies regarding the issuance of a patent and facilitates the public access to technical information relating to inventions.

Submitting one international patent application under the PCT procedure, the applicant can ensure its protection in a large number of countries around the world.

According to Rospatent.


WIPO, photo: Stephen Mettler
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